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Conflict between the two countries between the United States and China, who wanted to be quiet for a while, is getting closer to the worst of closing diplomatic missions. The United States first ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close within 72 hours, and it is reported that China is considering a response.

Correspondent Song Wook reports from Beijing.

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fire truck has been dispatched to the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, USA.

It appears that the consulate, which started preparing for the withdrawal, burned documents, including confidential documents, outside the building and reported a fire.

The US government yesterday demanded that the Chinese consulate in Houston be closed within 72 hours.

The State Department said it is for the protection of US intellectual property rights and American privacy, and has said China will not tolerate violations of US sovereignty.

[Pompeo/US Secretary of State: We have clearly stated how the Chinese Communist Party should act. If they don't, we will act to protect Americans.] The

US Department of Justice recently prosecuted two Chinese for accusing US intelligence for more than a decade, including corona vaccine-related information. There is also an observation that it is not.

The Chinese government reacted strongly.

It was a unilateral political provocation and a serious violation of international law, foretelling retaliation.

[Wang Won-bin/Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: Urges the United States to immediately withdraw the wrong decision. If the US sticks to it, China will take resolute action.] As a

countermeasure, it is reported that the closure of the U.S. consulate in Wuhan is being considered.

The Chinese Consulate General of Houston was the first Chinese consulate to be installed in the United States after diplomatic relations with the United States and China in 1979.

Its closure symbolizes the US-China conflict, which leads to extremes.